After a flying start with back-to-back bonus-point league wins over Pontypool and RGC, the Black & Ambers now head to Aberavon hoping to get back on the horse and return to winning ways.
“I’m not too concerned with where we are at the moment. We came second best in our last game against Swansea, but we’ll have a stronger team at Aberavon,” said Morris.
“They are very well coached and have a big pack, so we know it is going to be a big test for us. Recent games have all been good contests.
“We want to stay in the top four and if we can do that then I’ll be very happy. We’ve got three big games coming up and we are still playing catch-up with two games in hand on the top two sides.”
Still in the play-off places, Newport have played two games fewer than the top two and Morris wants to keep his side in the frame as the season goes into its most frantic period.
Ebbw Vale are sitting pretty on the top of the Indigo Premiership table after a 25-17 midweek win over reigning champions Llandovery.
In difficult conditions, The Steelmen built up a big head of steam up front to overpower the Drovers and not only hand them their first defeat of the season, but also deny them even a losing bonus-point.
“Even though we’re top of the table there is still loads of improvement in us. We’ve still got a long way to go,” said a delighted head coach, Jason Strange.
“We’re progressing nicely and we’ve got the benefit of a strong squad with some real depth. It was an important win for us, and our set-piece and scrum really got us over the line.
“I was really pleased with the effort and commitment, but I thought both teams were let down by the weather. I don’t think we saw the best of the two teams, but ultimately it was about finding a way to win, and we did that.
“It was difficult to get any rugby going and it came down to just minimising errors and trying to gain field position. I feel for Llandovery because they are a good side and they came to play.”
Tries from wing Amir Jiwa-Walji and replacement back row man Owen Conquer saw the Steelmen home, with outside half Evan Lloyd kicking five penalties. Llandovery took the lead with an Aaron Warren first half try, but the game was wrapped up at 14-14 at the break.
Conquer’s 65th minute score came from a pushover at scrum time to underline Ebbw’s superiority up front. The four points they picked up from their latest win carried them a point clear of Llandovery.
RGC 1404 will be hoping to haul themselves off the bottom of the Indigo Premiership table by picking up their first win of the season when they host Swansea at Stadiwm CSM.
The Gogs have lost all three outings to date and head coach Ceri Jones knows full well it is time to start playing catch-up.
“We have an eight-week block now, and it’s the biggest run of games of the season. As a group it will be about what we do and how we perform, getting right the basics in attack and defence,” said Jones.
Ex-Wales U20 back row man Ethan Fackrell is back in harness after a lengthy injury lay off and is looking forward to making his first appearance at home.
“We’re not where we want to be league wise, but we can only change that by focusing on our game, and our performances. We’ve come off a free weekend, and a bit of a reset after a four-game block,” said the all-action flanker.
“This will only be our second home game of the season, and we need to take advantage of playing at Stadiwm CSM. The supporters have been great in backing us, and we want to make sure we put in a performance for them.”
Merthyr have a fully fit squad again after being forced to cancel their last game and will face a tricky time against newly promoted Pontypool. They made it three wins on the trot with their five try, 45-21 demolition of Carmarthen Quins last time out.
“We’ve won three out of four and the boys have put in some great shifts in some tough fixtures. The training has gone up a notch, everything has gone up a notch and it’s a really great place to be at the moment,” said back row forwards Callum Davies, a try scorer against the Quins.
“The confidence in the group is through the roof. There is nobody that we fear in this league and we can just go up and up from here.”
Cardiff should be able to overcome Neath at the Arms Park, while Pontypridd will be hoping it’s third time lucky at Sardis Road as they chase their first home win of the season against Bridgend.
